(Click on Image to Enlarge)
James Stavridis, Nikkei Asian Review: Defense transparency and collaboration will help Asia avoid war
We are at the start of a dangerous arms race in Asia as nations in the region respond to rising and more assertive military power in China and growing instability on the Korea Peninsula. And the American "Pacific pivot" is failing to gain traction in the face of crises in Syria, threats from the Islamic State group, and ongoing tension with Russia over Ukraine.
China (which has the world's second largest defense budget) is on track to double its military spending by 2020. The Chinese are buying and building large aircraft carriers and are rapidly improving their offensive cyber capability.
Other Asian nations are responding. Japan has not only increased its defense budget but also passed legislation that will allow for offensive Japanese military action to defend allies under attack. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and virtually every other nation in the region are increasing defense spending. On average, East Asian nations are spending at least 5% a year more on defense. And we should remember that the U.S. and Russia, the first and third largest defense spenders in the world (and the two largest arms exporters), are also Pacific powers.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: In theory James Stavridis is correct .... transparency and collaboration usually helps in lessening tensions and eliminating misunderstandings. Unfortunately .... Asia has an incredibly long history of conflicts and wars, and what we are witnessing today are the major powers in Asia pursuing their own agenda independent on what their neighbours may feel or believe. Case in point .... here are 18 current border disputes in Asia, and no one is interested in compromising .... This Epic Map Shows The Border Disputes That Could Tear Asia Apart (Business Insider)
No comments:
Post a Comment